Vanderbilt Commodores

Vanderbilt Commodores

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Vanderbilt released senior QB Stephen Rivers from his scholarship, allowing Rivers to transfer.

As a graduate, Rivers will be eligible to play immediately wherever he chooses in 2015 for his final season of eligibility. "I am looking forward to playing and contributing to the success of another team and finishing my final year of eligibility," Rivers said on Twitter. Philip Rivers' younger brother started his career at LSU and transferred to Vanderbilt one year ago. Stephen rarely saw the field in 2014.

Taylor gasses easily and is essentially useless as a pass rusher, which probably seals his fate as a UDFA. CBS Sports' Rob Rang believes Taylor "is a long shot to make the NFL jump but possesses the wide frame and strength to eat up blocks at the all-important nose guard position." The 6-foot-1, 310-pound prospect "has the Coke-machine like frame that makes him difficult to move off of the line of scrimmage" and can "surprise opponents with his initial quickness," Rang added.

Vanderbilt senior LS Andrew East accepted an invite to the Senior Bowl.

East has functioned as the Commodores' long snapper in all four of his years on campus. One of the best long snappers in the country, East is said to combine superb technique with enough athleticism to cover downfield in punt coverage.

The Tennessean's Adam Sparks reports that Vanderbilt redshirt freshman Johnny McCrary and sophomore QB Patton Robinette will "share snaps in the final two games."

"The quarterback carousel has spanned the entire 10 games so far, and it looks like it will stretch to season’s end. Redshirt freshman Johnny McCrary has played relatively well (8 TDs, 3 INTs) in three straight starts, but season-opening starter Patton Robinette is back now. Look for both to share snaps in the final two games," Sparks wrote. Robinette has not played, since he suffered a concussion during Vanderbilt's loss to South Carolina on Sept. 20th.

The Tennessean's Adam Sparks reports that Vanderbilt HC Derek Mason has stated that he will keep redshirt freshman QB Johnny McCrary as his starting quarterback.

On Monday, Coach Mason noted on his radio call-in show that he would rather ride the hot hand of redshirt freshman Johnny McCrary rather than go with Patton Robinette, who has now been medically cleared from his concussion. Robinette has not played, since he suffered a concussion during Vanderbilt's loss to South Carolina on Sept. 20th. McCrary was recently named the SEC freshman of the week, for his record setting performance against Old Dominion on Saturday night. The Vanderbilt prospect tied a school-record throwing 5 touchdowns, while completing 20 of 29 passes for 281 yards.

The Tennessean's Adam Sparks reports that Vanderbilt freshman QB Johnny McCrary will get his first career start at Missouri on Saturday.

Sophomore QB Patton Robinette still remains out after suffering a concussion during Vanderbilt's loss to South Carolina Sept. 20th. True freshman QB Wade Freebeck, has filled in for Robinette in his absence, but Freebeck suffered a "small finger injury" during Vanderbilt's 21-20 win over Charleston Southern on Oct. 11th according to HC Mason. The 6-foot-4, 230-pound McCrary was brought in to finish the game and he completed 10 of 16 passes for 169 yards, with one TD and one interception. Sparks believes that McCrary's "mobility might be more of an asset against the Tigers, who lead the SEC in sacks."

Vanderbilt head coach Derek Mason has pegged true freshman Wade Freebeck has the team's starting QB against UMass on Saturday.

Freebeck is the first true freshman to start since 1998. "Mason and the offensive staff believe Freebeck can jumpstart a sluggish Commodore offense," the school's athletics site writes. The true freshman will be the fourth quarterback to play for the Commodores this season. In two games. Good luck.

CBS Sports' Rob Rang believes Vanderbilt redshirt senior DT Vince Taylor "is a long shot to make the NFL jump but possesses the wide frame and strength to eat up blocks at the all-important nose guard position."

The 6-foo-1, 310 pound prospect "has the Coke-machine like frame that makes him difficult to move off of the line of scrimmage" and can "surprise opponents with his initial quickness," Rang added. Taylor finished the regular season by setting career highs with 12 solo tackles, 18 total stops and a QB hurry.

"Woestmann shows just average explosiveness off the ball out of the three-point stance but possesses active hands and good leg drive to bull rush his way into the backfield," Rang wrote. "He's a bit stiff in his midsection, showing less-than-ideal fluidity when changing directions in pursuit. He does, however, possess a terrific motor, frequently chasing down ball-carriers in pursuit and gets his hands up into passing lanes. Woestmann possesses good upper body strength and is a solid, wrap-up tackler who has forced four fumbles over his career." Woestmann finished with 40 tackles and six sacks as a first-time starter last year at defensive end. "The scheme change could result in improved numbers for Woestmann, as well as convince scouts that he possesses the versatility to attack off the edge at the next level," Rang wrote. "With every team in the league looking for passionate edge rushers to play hybrid roles, Woestmann is one to watch."

"Mastering a new scheme and maintaining his reputation as one of the grittiest centers in college football, Townsend could earn Day Three consideration," Rang wrote. The 6-foot-4, 312 pound Townsend leads the Commodores with 22 career starts to his resume and was named to the Rimington Award's Watch List as one of the nation's top centers. Last season, the Commodores prospect was credited with 32 knockdown blocks and 21 blocks that led directly to Commodore touchdowns or first downs.

The 6-foot-6, 230-pounder graduated last month and is eligible to play immediately. He'll now compete with redshirt sophomore Patton Robinette and redshirt freshman Johnny McCrary for the wide-open Commodores' starting QB gig. Rivers wants to play in the NFL and sought a program that would allow him to compete for playing time right away. "I'm happy for Stephen and looking forward to having him join our program," Commodores coach Derek Mason said. "Stephen brings both ability and experience to our team, and he fits the offensive system we will run under (offensive coordinator) Karl Dorrell. I'm looking forward to seeing great competition at the quarterback position this August."

"We’re in the process right now of scheduling that game," Mason told WJOX. "We understand that the two schools have similar brands, but you know what? They don’t fear anybody and we don’t either." The Commodores hired Mason away from the Cardinal in January, where he was serving as co-defensive coordinator. "We’ll get a chance to get after Stanford and they’ll get a chance to get after us at some point in time, hopefully in the near future," Mason said. "We are still the best conference in the whole United States. If they want to come and get us, come and get us." Vanderbilt and Stanford have never played.

May (6-foot-4 1/8, 247) made 33 starts at defensive end for the Commodores, finishing his career with 30.5 tackles for loss and 11 sacks. On top of the fact that he'll be a 24-year-old rookie, May's upside is limited by average foot speed (4.85), though he demonstrated short-area burst with a 10-foot broad jump at Vandy's Pro Day. May projects as a special teamer with some potential to contribute as a sub-package pass rusher for the Falcons.